Week # Air Date

Singer-song writer Ely Guerra is one Mexico's emerging female talents, riding the wave of alternative Mexican music with her debut album, in the U.S., 'Lotofire.' Combining alternative rock, pop, and Brazilian rhythms, Ely Guerra offers a generous album full of introspection and vitality, but it's her voice that captures her listeners. Eli Guerra joins me in the studio here in New York.

When you think of Colombian music the words cumbia, vallenato, and may be even salsa comes to mind, and in terms of popular artist the U.S. market is now flooded with the cross over sensation Shakira, but the true music of Colombia is really so much more. From melodic herding songs of the oriental plains to the thunderous rhythms of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Colombian music is a rich combination of the African , Spanish, and indigenous roots of its peoples. And for the past several years veteran Colombian vocalist Lucia Pulido and Japanese percussionist Satoshi Takeishi have been collaborating on a number of musical projects incorporating this rich Colombian musical tradition. Latino USA's Mario Murillo has our story.

He's been called the 'Sun of Latin Jazz,' the 'Renegade of Latin Jazz,' Madman,' and the 'Leader of the Roaring Elephants.' He of course is pianist, composer, and band leader Eddie Palmieri. Palmieri burst onto the national scene in the 1960s with his band Conjunto La Perfecta. Now after two decades of mastering and revolutionizing Latin jazz. Eddie Palmieri has returned to his original La Perfecta compositions with his new release 'La Perfecta II. But his career began much earlier thanks to his parents and to his older brother, the great pianist Charlie Palmieri. With us in the studio today is el maestro Eddie Palmieri.